This evening, Italy will face Ukraine in a decisive match for direct qualification for the 2024 European Championships in Germany. Curiously, the match will be played on German soil, at the BayArena in Leverkusen due to the war with Russia which is still devastating the country. For Ukraine, the history of the comparisons with the Azzurri began in 1995 in a qualifying match for Euro 1996.
In total there are 9 precedents up to this moment, with a balance of 7 Italian victories and 2 draws, with 17 goals scored and 4 conceded. Encouraging precedents given that Luciano Spalletti’s team would only need a draw to be guaranteed direct qualification. The success of the Azzurri, however, would be important for the group in which they will be included in the subsequent draw of the European groups with the Azzurri who, in case of success, would go to the third pot, while with a draw they could slip to the fourth. Considering Leverkusen as a neutral venue, the precedents in this typology speak of a success for Italy, again in Germany, in Hamburg at the 2006 World Cup, and a draw, in February of the same year in a friendly match in Lausanne. However, considering the pitch as Ukraine’s home venue in this moment of war, the precedents are even more positive with 3 successes in 3 matches, all in Kiev.
Source-www.adnkronos.com